The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-29

THE BACHELOR GOVERNORS.

OF the twenty-eght gentlemen who have
been Governors of New York only three have
been bachelors, says an Albany letter to the
New York Graphic. In all the first ninety.
seven years of her existence, the state in
deed barred out the bachelor element from
her executive chair entirely. Indeed, the
records show that down TO n very late
date the preference of the people ran not
only TO married men, but III some instances
to men rather overly married. Gov. Marcy
was married twice and Gov. Yates three
times. Samuel J. Tllden was the first of the
bachelor brood that had the audacity TO
venture on the duties of Governor.
But when break into the chief magis-
tracy by bacheiordom was once made, it
had and still continued to have n steady
preference Three bachelors have occupied
the gubernatorial mansion since
Sam Tilden began his reform career. Two
of these have been elected to the presi-
dency, and there is gaping chasm appar-
entity wal ing III that office for the third IN
course OF time. That one did not 6 into
the presidential chair does not break this
record in favor of bachelor Governors.
Martin Van Buren, the only other President,
who had been Governor of New York, was a
widower. so that the strange fact remains
that no New York Governor with wife
has ever been elected President of the
United States besides the other fact that
no New York man, Governor or otherwise,
ever entered upon the presidency with a
wife uuon his hands, both Willard Fillmore
and Chester A. Arthur being widowers
when they became presidents. This may pre-
vent Gov. Hill geuting married; it may
throw false and factitious glamour over
bachelordom. but these are the facts
\ h. N Ant of
the bachelor governors. The old gentleman
was great admirer of the ladies'. He had
a fancy especially for blooming young girls.
There was always an air of some early dis
appointment about him II good Mrs Pei
ton, his sister, could have had her say she
would have told beautiful story of why
he was a bachelor, but the Governor kept
her silent. Often the anxiety to tell it
would show itself in Mrs Pelton. She
would sigh most sig 1lficantly at times,
when tears, otherwise unaccounted for,
would appear in the old gentleman's eyes
But the secret was profoundly kept The
love episodes with the st. Louis belle and
with the New Orleans lady, to whom the
Governor left 100000, never completely
swept away the cherished sentimentahsm Of
his early life. At ali his receptions Gov
Tilden took great comfort in talking with
pretty young sprigs of girls. He made a
dozen proposals to young visitors at these
gatherings which might have held good in a
court of law if the young ladies' had chosen
to sue. He was great hand for horseback
riding, but he woutd rein up his steed at any
moment TO pay courtly Difference to some
lovely woman who might bow to Tim. The
great Governor, indeed, had heart fitted
for softer scenes than those which entered
most into his life. Gov. Tilden was the
first Governor to occupy the house which is
now the official residence of the Governors.
He rented it for $40, 900 and few months
after he lett il the thrifty owner sold it
entire to the State for $45, 900. TWAS the
first expensive gubernatorial residence that
Governors here had had. Gov. Hoffman
had rooms at the old hotel known as Con-
gress hail. Gov. Dix had an ordinary
brown-stone across the way from the
capitol, and some ancient Governors even
boarded. Itremained for the first bachelor
Governor to introduce palatial housekeeping
on a gorgeous scale into the domestic life of
the chief magistrate, aud the present
bachelor Governor has even expanded or
that.
Grover Cleveland was the next bachelor
Governor, and he carried his bachelor habits
right into the palatial mansion, just as he
would have gone to a bachelor friends apart
ments without brushing his feet at the door
or putting out hi half-smoked cigar. There
was very prevalent bachelor ar during
his time at tie mansion, until towards the
close. when delicate influence grew into
his life. The nation as represented by the
Democratic committee of notification APP
pointed TO inform him OF his nomination as
Pre,ident in 1884, scented the influence,
when, it discovered near him, as he received
the message OF the committee, uner a
greet bank Of flowers on the mantelpiece,
he charming Miss Folsom and her mother.
It was Sam Randall himself who, at that
gathering, in reply to some comment said
'Were gong to elect this time. We are
going to put that charming girl into the
While Housen And it was Col. Hooker of
Mississippi who Immediately responded,
''Randall. you've got i. That's just how
1t is. He's after that girl ana hell run ike
"A Whitehead 1t may be, why not, that
Mss Folsom was prize in that race as well
as the White House. Such things have
been.
The present bachelor occupant of the
Governors mansion has been there three
years already and has added to ard en-
bel ished the place OH a scale of magnif-
icence which should portend a desire
for housekeeping with all its comforts
and concouitants. Yet there isn't the
slightest trace of the eiotic senti-
meut yISl1I6 any Wuefe III OANiu ID. Ilui
composition. He shows no trace of teld n
sentiment. With troops of pretty girls who
come on excursions and look through the
executive chamber and take glance at him
ne is i'll at ea-e He hasn't got used to it
even vet. Some Governors would chuck
them under the chin, but he won't He will
never be kiss NJ maniac like Gen. Sher-
man. lie seldom has any receptions at the
mansion where ladies are invited-seldom
any. indeed, OF any kind. lie is all intent
mon busness-consumed with a consuming
fire to which genui1e love episode would
come. were it possible to come at all, as
rather an interruption. He has bachelor
friend housing with him when be is here,
Mr.. Muller. OF the Board OF Claims, and
the softea dallance TO which the two I'M
bend at any time is game of billiards. II
there is a confirmed bachelor anywhere on
the globe. it would seem 10 be Gov. Hill, aud
yet who kuomsi
A 25c. Hair Brush for &c. at Weisbein's.